About Me

Welcome! I'm Nik Argiropoulos, a 28 year old Tottenham fan from Woking, Surrey, UK. I've finished in Yahoo Fantasy Football's Top 500 every season since I started playing the game 7 years ago, with a highest finish of 60th, so I'm hoping this blog will offer some useful advice to my fellow managers.**AM CHAT ROOM**

So double weeks for Hull, Chelsea, Fulham & Portsmouth. Yahoo STILL haven't updated their fixtures to reflect this, but expect them to do so today or tomorrow.

There is no doubt that you want to be getting as many double game players from Chelsea (2 easy away games) & Fulham (2 home games) as you can, maybe 1 or 2 from Hull (2 home) & Portsmouth (1 home & 1 away). The only single game to get really excited about is Man City at home to Pompey, and maybe Liverpool at home to Bolton.

All other games are too close to call for me, so hang on to any big discounts but don't go spending crazy money on single gamers.

With that in mind...

GOALKEEPERS
Cech
Schwarzer
Given

I can't see any real reason for not going with either Cech or Schwarzer this week. Personally I'd feel a lot more comfortable with the Chelsea keeper in my team (despite 2 away games), but going with Schwarzer will save you some vital pennies & Fulham are pretty tight at home. It's really up to you which way you go.

If some reason you don't fancy either of those chaps then Given is the only viable option; City should have a decent chance of a clean sheet vs Pompey. Avoid Myhill, I feel Hull could be in for a battering when Chelsea come to visit. Craig Gordon is back for Sunderland, so he's a cheap alternative, but also a huge risk.

For the first time this season, no Vermaelen. The suspected broken leg means he's gone... goodbye Verm, thanks for everything (UPDATE - the injury not as bad a first feared, but he's still likely to miss this weekend). It leaves a small group to choose from really, because there isn't much choice about. I have a single gamer in Bale so I want to fill the other 2 spots (or 3 if I go with 4 at the back) with 2 gamers.

Baird will find his way into most teams as he represents the best value, Hreidarsson is a nice cheap option & you'll probably want to try to squeeze in a Chelsea defender. Ashley Cole is the dream but the chances are you're priced out unless you grabbed him 2 weeks ago. Otherwise, I'd go for Ivanovic over Terry.

A bit more choice in the middle, with lots of double gamers finding form. Step forward Frank Lampard, 4 goals in 2 games, getting in to the box again - I hold him at £17.91m so it's very hard to drop him. If you hold Fabregas at big discount then I wouldn't drop him either (he was a lick of paint away from another goal last night) but obviously don't pay full whack.

Next in line is Damien Duff - back to his best this season, 2 home games, set piece taker...I think he's close to a "must have". I also really like Stephen Hunt for this week, but unfortunately I don't think i'll be able to afford him on top of Lamps & Duff. Malouda is also a great option if you have him cheap (as I know some of you do), as is Joe Cole (finally looking back to match sharpness), KP Boateng will always score points & Danny Murphy is another I'm considering.

Utaka, Gera, Aquilani & Maxi are cheaper choice that could fill a spot & keep an eye on Jamie O'Hara. If he's back at Portsmouth in time then you have a fantastic value set piece taking double gamer!

The big question for those of us who sold Drogba is whether to get him back for the double week. For me, unless Anchelotti categorically states the Ivorian will play both games, I'm leaning towards sticking with Anelka. I've read lots of quotes from the Italian stating Drogba is very tired & he made a point of saying how well his team have done without him over the past 3 weeks, so I can see Drogba being on the bench for the first game.

Once you resolve that predicament, 2 single gamers who stand out are Rooney & Tevez. Both players are on fire, and Rooney will be facing an Arsenal defence with no Vermaelen - if Stoke scored 3 without him, what could Rooney do? If you still have him under £17m then I'd keep him. I'm personally tempted by Tevez, who will surely score at home to Pompey & is far more affordable.

However, I'm also thinking I'm going to hang on to Kalinic; it's not often you can own a goalscoring striker for £2.6m...yet Zamora is another option. My forward line will probably be 'Anelka, Tevez, Kalinic' or 'Anelka, Zamora, Kalinic' - I'm undecided, it'll depend on what I do with my midfield.

That's it for another week, I hope I've helped in some way...Please join the blog Facebook Group if you haven't already!

Let me know how your teams are shaping up for Week 21...anyone you feel I've missed from the lists above? What are you doing about Drogba?

I really wanted hunt but he was just out of my price range. Fulham have looked shaky in the back so I opted for cech instead of schwarz. Hanging onto cole for two weeks was a really good move as he scored really well this yesterday and should earn great points.

Possible changes are dropping piquionne for riise(who is being overlooked) or garcia and then ivanovic for hunt. Being a chelsea supporter I really would not feel great having if hunt scored well. Come on two CS for Chelsea :)Saitofall

I actually dropped Fabregas last night although I had him for 17.51. It was a bit of an instinct, but also a fear of the schedual and the flashbacks from his not-more-than-5.5-points streak earlier this year. I love him in real life, but players from Arsenal that I pick usaully underperform, so if not picking him helps him destroy ManU, I'll be the happiest man alive.Drogba is another issue, and I tend to agree with AM. It is a huge risk to buy him now instead of Anelka, but I believe I'll get him back for week 22. Anelka's points might drop down a bit when Drogba's back. I'm not taking the risk over JCole either. If Drogba comes back to the squad, it's likely that cole will be the one that drops to the bench. I can't see Carlo giving up Malouda or Ballack for him, especially as Ballack fills the middle.If I do sell Vermaelen, it will be the first week since week 1 I didn't have one of the Gunners I admire so much. Sad, but as I sead before, that's exactly the thing that might bring them to beat ManU. I also dropped Rooney ahead of his tough schedual. I think Zabaleta will replace Vermaelen in my team - AM, are you sure he'll start?Given is a long term choice.

i'm just afraid that Kirkland will let in 2 or 3 goals to an in form Everton, but there isnt much i can do about it as this was the only way i could squeeze in Gerrard, Lampard, Duff and Tevez.I might drop Gerrard in favour of Hunt, and then upgrade Kirkland to Given. Opinion?

AM - I am annoyed/perplexed by something in your post...how the heck do you hold Lampard at 17.91m? I have played him on my team for the last two weeks (whereas you only BDed him last week) and I only hold him for 18.69m How is that possible??

As for my team next week, until Verms went down (thanks for the memories) my line-up was most likely going to look like this:

CechVerms Bale Baird TerryModric Duff Lamps GeraElk Kalinic

Now with Verms out, I am toying with this line-up:

GordonBaird Bale A.ColeModric Duff Lamps Gera HuntElk Kalinic

I think Gordon at home to Stoke - who don't score well on the road at all - is a relatively safe (and cheap) bet but I don't think I have the stones to drop Cech...I would really be doing this to upgrade Terry to Cole and to fit in Hunt. At the end of the day, I may eschew this line-up, stick with Terry and Cech and just swap out Verms for KPB, Geo or O'Hara.

I disagree with you, AM, on preferring Ivanovic to Terry only b/c I think Terry is more of a sure starter in both games of the DG. Normally I would agree with you that Ivanovic has better potential to score points in addition to a clean sheet but I would worry a bit that Alex might start over Ivanovic (or Carvalho) in one of the DGs.

I'm less worried about not playing Drogba this week than I am nt playing Tevez, to be honest...did you see his goal in the Carling Cup? Off the back of his calf it was straight out of the Buenos Aires playground. He is flying right now.

I will have Duff in for sure but i need to do some changes... I miss 0,5M for my dream team so I need to do same work to grind it out... Kalinić and Bale(for sure) are only one gamers that will(could) be in my team...

I liked my post from last week where i told what are reasons why i choosed some player, and who were my reserves, so i will do it regulary...

What about J Cole's injurie, and what so you guys think about Nevland or Kamara(he played last week) from Fulham... They have 4 losses in the row and Hogdson will change something for sure...

Alex has started three games as a right central defender this year...I guess I'm just saying that I feel much more confident that Terry and Cole will start both games than I do about Carvalho and Ivanovic.

i need help here should i go for ashley cole or go for inanovic who will make me have 9.+ mil for a middle fielder on this list cecha.cole/inanovic nelsea salgadomodric duff gera aquilani drogba tevez kalinic

i need helpsoon am confused.if i buy inanovic that means aquilani can go n look for another midfielder.by super coach

If there's a good chance he won't play, it also means that there's a little chance he WILL play. And if that chance exists, and if God exists as well, he might be even available for Chelsea or Liverpool. I'm not dropping him for two games, I've already done this mistake with Drogba...

SF - I don't think Wenger will risk Verm for the weekend fixture as he has Sol Campbell to cover while Vermaelen recovers completely...at least that's the logic I see in it, no need to rush him back. Anyways I'm torn between letting go of Donovan for a, lets say Tevez...I already have Drogba & Kalinic, who are going nowhere, and need to decide the third spot (probably a double gamer, Zamora? or Tevez as I stated above).

Can you believe I still have 15.05 to spend? Man Fantasy footie has been good lately with a certain Bale and Kalinic that now I don't know what to do with the spare cash. Well, I'll probably use it to upgrade Mokoena to Duff...I don't know yet though, seems like Mokoena can return his value for the double and at 1.78. On other news, Congrats United!!! Exiting game Ehhh?

Good to hear from you again AM, hope you've gotten better and wish you well on your recovery. Well, I'd like to hear some suggestions on my team please. I advanced in the Blog Cup with 122.0 points so I'm happy about that also

I've "bailed" on Bale (like how I did that...) for 2 reasons, one because I want 11 double gamers and two because I think Assou Ekoto might be back and he is normally ahead of Bale in the pecking order at Spurs...

Hard decision to drop Almunia at 5.5mil but given the absence of Verm, even for one game and the schedule of Utd, Chelsea, and Liverpool its just not smart to keep him (but you could gamble at pay off huge). Also missed the BD of Lampard at 18mil which put him out of reach at 21mil unless I wanted 3-4 fillers, and that was not going to happen. So:

Kellz - I just wanna know why no Drogba in your team...even if he misses the first game, he can play against Hull City and we all know what Rooney did against him...now imagine what Drogba and a solid Chelsea team can do to them. My team...CechIvanovic/Bale/Verm (might switch to Baird)Hunt/Ballack/Mokoena/Maxi RodDonovan/Kalinic/Drogba

I still have 15.05 to spend but i feel I have no use for it cause I don't want to switch my lineup above...huhhhh, what to do? Bale, Kalinic are staying...Mokoena, I have a feeling he can return his value. Now Donovan...another headache there, I don't want to drop him but I need Tevez!

@Saul: Hes not confirmed back just yet, possibly tired, will most likely be rested the first game making him a single gamer, for 3mil less Tevez is a much better option home to the bottom team, thats why no Drogba, if hes confirmed back for both I'll consider a switch.

Kellz - one of the last posters here holding Almunia cheap and now about to drop him? It's tempting when you look at the double game and the next three Arsenal games, but he's scored so well since I picked him up in week 14 for 5.39 - 97.5 at an average of nearly 14 per week. I feel he's earned his keep so I'm prepared to gamble that Arsenal won't lose all three games and he'll at least make a decent number of saves. Schwarzer looks good value this week but I think I'm going to take the chance on Almunia.

@Guy: It was really tough for me to drop him but its the right thing to do. Almunia's average for the past 3 games is only 6.88pts and over the whole season 5.39pts, given the extremely tough schedule with Vermealen possibly out and Almunia's shakiness, its better not to gamble on him. Sure Schwart will have his work cut out for him versus Villa, but hes got another game to make up for any lost points. Can you really see Almunia keeping a CS against Utd?

@Kellz - True, I see what you mean...I myself am considering Tevez but I have Kalinic/Donovan(both on discounts and racking up points) and Drogba...who is well, a friggin monster. Even though he's a gamble, I think it's worth it cause if he plays...oooh I'm gonna regret it. So there you have it...my dilemma of having Drogba, better to have him than not to. Anyways I don't know what I'll do with my team as I still have 15.05 to use...CechVerm/Bale/IvanovicHunt/Ballack/Mokoena/MaxiDrogba/Kalinic/Donovan...

geez I have so much to spend but don't want to get rid of anyone...exept Mokoena of course and for who? How do I fit in Tevez without getting rid of Kalinic and Donovan?...and getting rid of Drogba is out of the question so I'll probably just upgrade my midfield and stick to the forward line.

Having three Fulham defensive players may be a risk, but they haven't allowed a goal at the Cottage for two months. Rich Garcia is just a cheap hunch, but he's well due and will be glad to see Wolves as his opposition.

Tigers Top Ten1) Fulham.... losing games, Paintsil/Konchesky out (Dempsey too) = shaky defense.... though Villa has not scored forever and Portsmouth isn't scoring either... both games home. Schwarzer might make a lot of sense,,,, or no sense at all. Baird actually played defense last game, not in MF. Duff is a must!2) Anelka.... will he rest a game with Drogba back; he has handled the lion share well and with Cole in form and Malouda (he might rest too) and the emerging Sturidge... making it hard to buy him. Chelsea plays a lot more defense than offense on the road.... though the ineptitude of their opposition should not take too much defensive effort. Terry must have. Lampard will get 40 points.3) Verm.... if comes back in two weeks; keep him. He scores points regardless of a shut out4) Robo... I have him at 2.57. Cech is certain to get points, but I would have to pay 11.97. Will he out perform Robo 4x.... hmmm? or go with Schwarzer above??? this IS my biggest Problem.5) Tevez... not owning him now, could haunt in the future6) Mokoena is pick of the week with his price even if he only plays one... but will probably play both with Brown out. Not usual to get a filler like that in a double... I know, he could get a grande rojo, but worth the risk to me.7) Geovani.... yuck. He rarely plays the full game and is a head case.... Zaki is lurking and Fagan is hungry.... what happened to Altidore? When he started Hull was winning (Bullard was playing too....) Hunt is appealing, but a twit and I hate watching him.8) Landycakes... hard to drop if you have him at discount likewise with Kalanic. Wish I could have 5 strikers to keep these two alongside Drogba (sweet to have him for 10.?? :) )9) I want O'hara!!!!! 10)Maxi on the barn door.

My issues are i want Hunt but the only midfield that i willing to drop is J.Cole..if he's really injured then i need to find money for Hunt, i feel he's gonna score big especially against wolves..

Or just drop nevland and get Zamora ( a sure starter)..i got ard 3 million more to spend..

i feel AM is right, Drogba might play one of the game and Anelka is a better bet..Ivanovic is a sure starter too so i disagree with Teeth..but maybe i should drop Iva for Hredairson and upgrade to Hunt..hmm dilemma!!

I scored just 19 points last week, Lowest score ever, thanks to my midfield score: 0(valencia,kranj,bily,aqua) + lost 2nd position in my private league.Want to score good points this week...please comment on my team :

Last minute dilemma:The return of O'Hara gives me the possibility of losing Ballack+Gera for JCole+O'Hara. I'm not sure that Cole will start both games, but I have the same doubts regarding Gera. Also, I couldn't find out if he's able to play on Sunday. Could anyone find information about it.I currently have Given in my team, but for some reason in the last couple of hours Schwarzer has suddenly started to seem more attractive to me. I'm afraid of his home match with Villa, but should I?

That Ancelotti press conference comment has got me thinking about Drogs v Anelka although I guess against Hull he could do a "Rooney"...

AM - how is your thinking going on this issue? Still sticking with the Anelka view?

SF - Fulham seem to do well at home so with 2 games and 1 against Portsmouth I would go with that. Personally I don't care too much about value of players - there are always alternatives esp with keepers and I believe in picking for the match-ups.

Catlio I wouldn't touch Myhill with a barge pole away at Chelsea with Drogs back and Bolton with Coyle in charge will score against Liverpool IMO

Twoface I like your team, wish I could get Lamps, if I were you I would upgrade Nevland to Hunt and if you need to swap Ivanovic to do that, then go for it. Is there not a risk with Ivanovic and Bosigwa returning?

Not sure how many ppl are still holding on to Almunia. I have him on the cheap at 5+ as well as Vermaelen. I dont see many good options available for replacements for the price even with tough fixtures for the gunners coming up. With ivan, lamps, duff, hunt, utaka and elk for the double i'm short of funds for any upgrades. I'm still unsure to drop and reshuffle or will this be enough to get thru this week. Any thoughts?

Those that held on to Drogba at ~10. will obviously keep him for a single. I would maybe even advise to add him at ~18. over Anelka since he has a good shot to out-shine Anelka as usual against Hull (Burnley will be good defensively at home, eh?) Hull, not so. Also, Anelka has played a lot recently and could see a rest or partial game to Hull. Plus, you don't want to see Drogba inflate over 20 do you? as he may be a mandatory player for the remainder. Remember, Chelsea has only missed him for the last two EPL games against Sunderland and Birmingham AT home and the last Drogba show was a goal against Fulham. I would suspect he'll still be the go-to...

I'm staying on Verms @ 6.02. Smalling was a possible replacement, but I'm not even sure he'll play twice, and he's not likely to score a ton if he does. And longer-term I don't see how I replace Verm's production for 6.02.

I wanted to buy into Chelsea's defense, but it was just too expensive unless I wanted to field a total filler like Moks in the MF. I also considered Schwarzer, but decided I'd rather have both Duff and Malouda in the MF and hope Gordon doesn't hurt me much. I also feel like I'm betting too much on Fulham anyway, but I'd rather do that than mess with the uncertainty among Boat, O'Hara, and Utaka at Pompey and the outright suckiness outside the expensive Hunt at Hull.

I really like the roster but want to maximize points. Figure Ohara will be the best scorer for Portsmouth, but Chelsea could be invovled in 2 goalfests and Deco should get some involvement with those goals right? The extra $$ freed up by switch to Ohara would go to where? Not sure I would swap anyone else off the roster.